# NTSB LAX99LA086: Cessna 150L, N6979G, Madera, CA, January 30, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 29, 1999, 16:01 local (Jan 30, 1999, 00:01 UTC) - Place: Madera, CA - Location: 36.9886° N, 120.1124° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MADERA MUNI (MAE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9886&lon=-120.1124&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45709 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45709/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA086 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and to see the stationary airplane on the taxiway ahead. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot of the other airplane's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and to see the airplane stopped on the taxiway ahead. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - light condition - daylight - object - aircraft parked/standing - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - light condition - daylight - object - aircraft parked/standing - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A Coelho RV4, N770RF, collided with a Cessna 150L, N6979G, while taxiing for takeoff. The Cessna 150L was stopped on the parallel taxiway waiting for departure behind two other airplanes. The Cessna's pilot reported that the run-up area was congested and she did not believe there was enough room to safely pull into the area. While waiting on the taxiway, the propeller of a RV4 struck the tail section of her aircraft. The pilot of N770RF (a conventional gear airplane) stated that he was performing 'S' turns on the parallel taxiway while taxiing out for departure and did not notice the Cessna stopped on the taxiway. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A Coelho RV4, N770RF, collided with a Cessna 150L, N6979G, while taxiing for takeoff. The Cessna 150L was stopped on the parallel taxiway waiting for departure behind two other airplanes. The Cessna's pilot reported that the run-up area was congested and she did not believe there was enough room to safely pull into the area. While waiting on the taxiway, the propeller of a RV4 struck the tail section of her aircraft. The pilot of N770RF (a conventional gear airplane) stated that he was performing 'S' turns on the parallel taxiway while taxiing out for departure and did not notice the Cessna stopped on the taxiway. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE FOR LAX99LA086A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On January 29, 1999, at 1601 hours Pacific standard time, a Coelho RV4, N770RF, collided with a Cessna 150L, N6979G, while taxiing for takeoff at the Madera, California, airport. The Cessna 150L was stationary on the parallel taxiway of runway 30 conducting a pre-takeoff engine and systems check. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The Cessna 150L was owned and operated by Madera County Aircrafters and rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. The Coelho RV4 was owned and operated by Rocket Factory, Inc., and was also departing for a local area personal flight. Both aircraft were operated under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The Cessna 150L was destroyed and the Coelho RV4 sustained minor propeller damage. Neither of the pilots, the sole occupants of their respective aircraft, were injured. Both aircraft were originating at the time of the on-ground collision. According to a statement from the pilot of the Cessna 150L, she was stopped on the parallel taxiway waiting for departure behind a C172 and an ultralight aircraft. She reported that the run-up area was congested and she did not believe there was enough room to safely pull into the area. While waiting on the taxiway, the propeller of a RV4 struck the tail section of her aircraft. The pilot of N770RF (a conventional gear airplane) stated that he was performing "S" turns on the parallel taxiway while taxiing out for departure and did not notice the Cessna stopped on the taxiway. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N6979G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6979G), registered now, S/N 15072479, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15072479 - Airframe hours: 7158 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Madera County Aircrafters, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1998, 42 hours before - Departed: MAE - Airport: MAE, Madera Municipal Airport, runway 30, 4,544 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N770RF (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: COELHO RV4 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 773889 - Airframe hours: 60 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James J. Coehlo - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1998, 60 hours before - Departed: MAF - Airport: MAE, Madera Municipal Airport, runway 30, 4,544 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N6979G; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 806 total, 404 in this make and model, 511 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft N770RF; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,000 total, 90 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FAT ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990129001182A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990129001182A), Jan 29, 1999: Cessna 150L, Madera, CA, Substantial damage. (.19)On January 29, 1999, at 1601 hours pacific standard time, a coelho RV4, N770RF, collided with a Cessna 150L, N6979G, while taxiing for takeoff at the… - [Accident 19990129001181A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990129001181A), Jan 29, 1999: Amtr RV4, Madera, CA, Minor damage. (.19)On January 29, 1999, at 1601 hours pacific standard time, a coelho RV4, N770RF, collided with a Cessna 150L, N6979G, while taxiing for takeoff at the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.